photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Type your message and click Add Comment
It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help private comment
ctfchallenge | all galleries >> Challenge 178 - Candid Shots >> Challenge 178 - Exhibition > Goin' Down...
previous | next
Summer 2008 Lydia

Goin' Down...


other sizes: small medium original auto
comment | share
ctfchallenge03-Feb-2009 03:13
Ok. Can we agree on a dictionary description of our word? As long as I quote it in its entirety? (Link for reference:http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/candid )


can⋅did   /ˈkændɪd/ [kan-did]

–adjective
1. frank; outspoken; open and sincere: a candid critic.
2. free from reservation, disguise, or subterfuge; straightforward: a candid opinion.
3. informal; unposed: a candid photo.
4. honest; impartial: a candid mind.
5. Archaic. white.
6. Archaic. clear; pure.

–noun
7. an unposed photograph.


Please take note of 3 and especially 7. I think this says it clearly enough.

If you can find a dictionary description that says what you say it means, please post it. I'll be most interested to see it.

Please check out merriam-webster.com if you're still not convinced. ~Lydia
ctfchallenge03-Feb-2009 02:42
Lydia,

I'm not trying to convince you (I'm realistic :-) ).

"... I really want to understand your thoughts ... " . So, I was trying to explain.

Sure, if you split the whole world of photography into "... two kinds of shots, Posed and Candid ..." And all what is not Posed is then automatically Candid for you,
then - yes - the two pictures of Bruce and this yours "... are not posed and hence are candid ... ". Agree with logical consequence.

The problem is that your basic prerequisite - "Candid is anything what is not Posed" - is not correct, sorry. This is necessary but not sufficient. Hence, the consequence is also wrong.

Anyway - let us go back to normal life and enjoy photography instead of deeping into philosophy. Share with us your creative work and let us discuss it. It is always a big pleasure.

Konstantin.
ctfchallenge02-Feb-2009 19:08
The problem is, Konstantin, that I completely understand what 'candid' means, and you completely understand what 'candid' means. And apparently, they are not the same understanding.

I am firm in my opinion that both of Bruce's are candid. You're firm that they aren't.

I don't think we're going to convince each other of our opinion.

My opinion still stands that there are two kinds of shots, Posed and Candid.

This one, and all three of Bruce's, are not posed and are candid. *smile* ~Lydia
ctfchallenge02-Feb-2009 07:05
Dear Lydia,

we all are amateurs, we don't have photo studios and don't work with models (unfortunately), most of our shots (with exception your exclusive frog-gallery)
are unplanned, unprepared and hence can be called "candid". But if we want to go a bit deeper into the subject - not all "candids" are "candids",

I think if you get a feeling what is different in Bruce pictures "Chillin" and "Pier and Surfer", where the first one is an excellent Candid Shot whereas
the second one is not Candid at all, may be then you will understand why I think that yours "Goin' Down" is NOT Candid Shot.

with respect,
Konstantin
Bruce T Jones01-Feb-2009 03:12
Also . . . I might crop off the right a little, just to give it a tighter feel.
Bruce T Jones01-Feb-2009 03:11
This ain't a sport. It's a mini-disaster! A fun one, however. I like it. Very candid. The PP is okay, but I think it could do with a tad more contrast.
ctfchallenge01-Feb-2009 01:21
Hmmm... are there any other opinions about this?

To me, the intimacy of the whole scene, with me being in the boat about twenty feet away (at most) and them being silly and having fun, knowing I was there to take humiliating photos of them... all screams "candid" to me. But, you are our host, elected "by the people, for the people"... *grin* so, I want to get it... I just still don't. *sigh* ~Lydia
ctfchallenge31-Jan-2009 16:14
Lydia,

For me - this picture is a kind of sport photography, which has a focus on getting distant objects photographed, even if the distance is not so big as in this case f.e. It has "another spirit" even if it suits the formal description.

May be if you do research in Internet you can better understand what I mean or, may be, you can then help me to get a better understanding of Candid Photography.

Konstantin
ctfchallenge31-Jan-2009 14:21
Konstantin: "Candid photography is best described as un-posed and unplanned, immediate and unobtrusive...

Candid photography's setup includes a photographer who is there with the "subjects" to be photographed, close, and not hidden. People photographed on candid shots either ignore or accept the close presence of the photographer's camera without posing."


I did read your description, Konstantin... and I still think that this photo fits your description. It was unposed and unplanned to fall off, I was in the boat not far from them with a camera pointed at them, and they continued to do what they were doing, disregarding me and my equipment.

Please tell me how this does not qualify to meet the challenge. I really want to understand your thoughts. ~Lydia

ctfchallenge31-Jan-2009 12:33
Lydia - you like the processing and this is the most important. This fact, I'm sorry, does not make the picture more attractive for me - I find it too artificial - but this is the most unimportant :-).

What about the topic. Yes - this shot is unposed but just being "unposed" and/or "unplanned" is not enough to be qualified as a Candid Shot. Please have a look to Forum - I posted the definition of Candid Shot there.
Konstantin
ctfchallenge31-Jan-2009 07:56
I like the processing on this shot. I think it really emphasizes the action. ~dtallakson
ctfchallenge30-Jan-2009 17:03
So you think this was a posed shot, Konstantin? I think I might be misunderstanding "candid". I thought there was posed or planned, and then candid.
I like the processing. I'm sorry you don't, but I do appreciate your telling me. *sigh* ~lydia
ctfchallenge30-Jan-2009 16:19
Lydia,
it is an exceptionally well captured moment, but I don't think this is a candid shot. And I'm afraid, you have over-tuned the "shadows". I suppose, you wanted to get water-drops better exposed, but as result, the whole picture looks a bit flat.
Konstantin